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| Larry Worcester |
By Natalie Bazinet
Staff Writer
VAN BUREN — On Friday, June 1, current vice principal and athletic director at the Limestone Community School Larry Worcester will officially become the new superintendent of MSAD 24 in Van Buren.
Worcester first began the interview process in mid-March and is admittedly very excited to begin his new career in Van Buren.
“He presented himself as a gentleman, and I think that stood out more than anything else,” said MSAD 24 School Board Chair John Pelletier on Tuesday, mentioning that the board sensed a cooperative spirit within Worcester.
“We feel he will be able to bring people together in order to accomplish the district’s mission and vision,” Pelletier added. “We see some leadership skills in him because of his background and those skills, along with his cooperative spirit and gentlemanly nature, make him the ideal person we’re looking for.”
Transitioning from vice principal to superintendent will undoubtedly have its challenges, but Worcester is ready to face them head-on with a lifetime of experiences working in and with small schools.
“I like that personal connection [in small schools] and we know that having a low student to teacher ratio is better academically, but the challenge is economically, how to get the most out of the money we receive from the state,” Worcester said, describing the current fiscal squeeze small schools are facing.
“The state’s in hard times too, but you can’t have the locals pay for everything; the challenge I’m looking forward to is finding balance,” Worcester explained, “offering a great education with a good value for the taxpayer.”
Worcester believes that the many similarities between the Limestone Community School and the Van Buren School will help him effectively lead as superintendent.
“He will provide a fresh face and a new vibrancy for the school district,” Pelletier said.
Understanding that the Van Buren school is supported by a very strong community, Worcester is already working to keep those ties strong.
“I don’t speak French, but I’m going to have to learn a little bit,” he said with a big smile, mentioning that Limestone’s French teacher has already offered to give him some instruction.
While the difference in duties between a vice principal and superintendent are abundant, this will be the first time that Worcester is not directly involved with athletics.
“I’ve always been coaching or playing or administering sports,” he said.
Though his involvement with the schools athletics will be less direct, “I’ll still go to the games,” Worcester said.
Should a Limestone sports team play against a Van Buren team before the current Limestone Vice Principal becomes Van Buren’s superintendent, Worcester knows just what to do.
“Well, I have to cheer for both teams!” he said, mentioning that he’s had lots of practice cheering for both teams, as his children attend school in Washburn.
“[Being superintendent] is something I’ve been thinking about as a career goal, I just didn’t think it would happen this soon,” Worcester said.
Worcester will be replacing long-time superintendent Clayton Belanger, who is retiring this year.
